Utility 2.0

Riverside Public Utilities is gearing up for big challenges facing the entire utility industry. These include aging infrastructure, climate change and new government regulations aimed at curbing its impact, the use of new technology, workforce development issues surrounding the baby boomer retirement wave and skills training for new workers, and threats to RPU’s financial health.

To tackle these issues, RPU has developed Utility 2.0 – a 10-year plan that re-imagines the way we serve Riverside. Below is a brief overview.

Utility 2.0 – a plan that re-imagines the way we serve Riverside.

Aging Infrastructure

The Problem

Every utility in the nation is facing old or aging infrastructure, utility equipment that was installed during the postwar baby boom.

The Solution

The Utility 2.0 plan will allow RPU to accelerate the replacement of aging infrastructure and increase its capacity to meet growing demand. See the Utility 2.0 Water and Electric Infrastructure Roadmaps.

Utility 2.0 accelerates the replacement of aging infrastructure.

New Technology

The Problem

New technology and The Internet of Things is forever changing the utility business. This technology improves not just utility operations, but the overall customer experience, and RPU needs to stay on top of this trend. Learn More.

The Solution

Technology for the utility sector is evolving fast, and Utility 2.0 will allow RPU to keep up. Power line sensors and new computer systems will reduce outage times in Riverside and offer a range of operational benefits that will improve the customer experience. See the Utility 2.0 Technology Plan.

Technology is evolving fast - Utility 2.0 helps RPU keep up.

New technology improves not just utility operations, but the overall customer experience.

Power line sensors and new computer systems will reduce outage times and offer a range of operational benefits.

Climate Change

The Problem

The challenges of climate change are causing utilities and their customers to conserve more and more energy while getting less of it from coal. Water utilities are facing a similar challenge, and with California’s historic drought, many cities in our state are searching for new ways to develop new water supplies. Learn more.

The Solution

The Utility 2.0 plan will allow RPU to accelerate the replacement of aging infrastructure and increase its capacity to meet growing demand. See the Utility 2.0 Water and Electric Infrastructure Roadmaps.

Utility 2.0 will find new ways to assess climate change.

Harnessing the Power of Solar Energy

Moving Toward a Future of Clean Energy

Workforce Development

The Problem

Baby boomers are leaving the workforce in record numbers while new workers need to develop new technology skills to do their jobs effectively. Learn more.

The Solution

We're developing a tech-driven workforce with Utility 2.0.

Baby boomers and aging workers are leaving the workforce in record numbers.

New workers need to develop new technology skills to do their jobs effectively.

Thriving Financially

The Problem

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) reported in 2013 that “Recent technological and economic changes are expected to challenge and transform the electric utility industry.” Riverside’s utility needs to remain nimble in the face of these new financial challenges. Read the EEI report.

The Solution

A 10-year financial plan has been developed to determine the impacts to the utility of all changes needed to thrive financially. The plan provides an overview of impacts to rates, reserve levels and bond coverage ratios. See the Utility 2.0 Thriving Financially Roadmap. Read the Thriving Financially Development Roadmap.